Molecular clues to bone loss from disuse
Official title: Molecular basis of disuse-induced bone loss
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11444881 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks for genes that influence bone loss when people or animals don’t move much, like during bed rest or spaceflight.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $632,013 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AR086808-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11444881 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals at risk of bone loss due to inactivity or aging, including patients with limited mobility or astronauts in training.
✕Less likely to help
People with normal activity levels and no risk of disuse-induced bone loss may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will use a special population of mice (Diversity Outbred) to map genetic factors that affect bone loss after disuse. They will cast the mice’s legs to simulate disuse and analyze how bones change at the molecular level. The study aims to identify new genes involved in disuse-induced osteopenia and then test the role of those genes to confirm their impact. The findings could reveal targets for therapies to prevent bone loss during inactivity and aging.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new strategies to protect bone health in people who are inactive due to illness, aging, or space travel.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier studies show that genetics influence how bone responds to disuse, but this project will identify new genes and mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Donahue, Henry Joseph — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Donahue, Henry Joseph
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.